Assist Bhopal

December 1, 2014

My name is Megan Dogra and I am a high school sophomore from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As you may recall 30 years ago, the Bhopal gas leak was one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. On the morning of December 3, 1984 more than 40 tons of methyl isocyante (MIC) gas leaked from the India Union Carbide Limited plant, creating a dense MIC cloud over a resident population of about 500,000. That night 8000 people died due to toxic gas inhalation, and over time another 20,000 fatalities have been directly attributable to the catastrophe. The crisis isn’t over yet; today an estimated 200,000 people suffer from chronic illnesses resulting from this accident.

Children being born to the victims of the gas disaster have increased occurrence of congenital birth defects, physical malformations and cognitive disabilities. The residual toxic waste from the abandoned Union Carbide (now Dow Chemical) continues to contaminate the ground water. The people who live in these polluted communities are poor, illiterate and helpless: They do not have the resources to relocate to safer locations.

Chingari Rehabilitation Center, Bhopal, India started by two survivors provides the much needed medical
help and counseling to these children. I am working with Professor Lalita du Perron, Associate Director,
Center for South Asia at UW-Madison and Dr. Henry Wend Director Global Studies, University School of
Milwaukee to help the children who attend this center.

During my recent trip to Bhopal in March 2014, I had the opportunity to meet with the survivors of this horrific incident and hear the heart wrenching stories of their continued pain and suffering. I have produced a documentary, Assist Bhopal, which was screened at the Milwaukee Film Festival 2014. You can preview my documentary at this link: Assist Bhopal

[Editor's Note: The link didn't work for me, but you can learn more here and here.]

We are holding a dinner on December 3, 2014, the 30th anniversary of this tragedy, at Bollywood Grill, 1038 N. Jackson Street, Milwaukee at 7:00 P.M. At which time you will have an opportunity to meet with key people who are knowledgeable of this event and subsequent tribulations. One of our speakers, Wisconsin Distinguished Professor, Dr. Pradeep Rohatgi, UW-Milwaukee, lived in Bhopal at the time of the gas leak. He will personally describe the ensuing events he experienced.

We request you to come and see for yourself what took place in Bhopal exactly 30 years ago and what is
continuing to happen!

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Megan

_________________

Great work, Megan!